The UAE has reportedly introduced a new artificial intelligence-powered initiative, InSilico Medicine, aimed at cutting research and development costs and speeding up drug discovery before manufacturing begins.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) unveiled the project during the recent World Health Expo (WHX 2026). According to EDE, the initiative uses advanced digital models to streamline pharmaceutical research, improve the precision of compound evaluation, and reduce the financial burden associated with early-stage drug development.

On the sidelines of the event, EDE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with InSilico Medicine AI Limited to formalize collaboration in applying AI technologies to innovative medical product development. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, and Dr. Alex Aliper, President of InSilico Medicine AI Limited.

Both parties said the partnership underscores a shared commitment to building a resilient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem, strengthening pharmaceutical security, and positioning the UAE as a regional leader in pharmaceutical and health technology innovation.

The InSilico Medicine project is part of EDE’s broader digital transformation agenda. By integrating generative AI and deep learning, the initiative seeks to assess drug efficacy before production begins, helping to lower R&D expenses and shorten the time needed to bring new therapies to market.

Dr. Shaikha Al Mazrouei, Director of the Reference National Laboratory Drug Department at EDE, said the collaboration will enable the use of advanced AI platforms based on generative models and reinforcement learning algorithms to analyze biological, chemical, and clinical data. These tools are designed to optimize compound design, enhance safety and efficacy profiles, support predictive toxicity studies, and reduce reliance on animal testing in early development stages.

EDE said the initiative aligns with national priorities to localize biotechnology industries, enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, and ensure the sustainable supply of high-quality medical products at competitive prices.

“It further reinforces national pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness, while encouraging specialized research and product development studies within the UAE,” the establishment added.